Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes both here and on Facebook. It’s meant the world. As most of you know, I tend to get pretty sentimental around Patriotic holidays.
Maybe it’s because it’s my birthday, or maybe it’s because the last couple days have been rough (just had one of my close friends moved to hospice with end stage cancer this week), but I’m not in the mood to tear my guts out today…or think too hard. She says she can feel good thoughts and prayers, so whichever way you believe…I’d appreciate anything for my friend Kenda.
It seems I have several friends battling this disease and winning (thank goodness), but even one loss seems like too many. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been my first friend/family to battle cancer, but she hasn’t lost yet…so all prayers are appreciated. This song is dedicated to all of my friends fighting cancer and all the folks who are loving and supporting them.
Today is also Independence Day… Which, of course, had me thinking back to the men and women who battled for our nation as well as our founding fathers. We had some pretty amazing guys!
With guys like Washington, Edison, Jefferson, Hancock and company, it’s hard to decide on a favorite…but I have a couple. Alexander Hamilton always seemed like a player/stud, so I had a bit of a soft spot for him.
My favorite quote came from Nathan Hale:
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
My second favorite is Patrick Henry‘s:
“Give me liberty or give me death.”
I must have always had some sort of fascination with sailors, though, because my all time favorite (and I have no idea why) was John Paul Jones. There’s something kind of badass about a guy who says, “Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight.” I understand that kind of mentality. I respect that fiery passion.
What about you guys? What are your favorite things about Independence day? Who is your favorite Revolutionary War/Founding Father?
Hope you enjoyed the fireworks on my birthday! 😉
theinnerwildkat 
Happy Birthday sweet and that song is beautiful. Wishes and thoughts for your friend through this difficult time.
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Thank you, Jen.
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I know what to say about your birthday, Kitt. ACK! Belated happy, happy and here’s to many more — hopefully, none as bittersweet as this one.
I have not yet lost anyone near and dear to cancer. But, well recall the days my husband was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma eight years ago. The day my youngest sister called to tell me she had stage 3C breast cancer over 5 years ago. Both fought and survived, so I haven’t been put to that ultimate test of faith. Hearing the diagnosis was bad; I can not imagine how you must feel about your friend. My heart aches for you. My prayers and thoughts remain with you for your friend.
On to those sailors. As a kid, I had a tween crush on all sailors in uniform. It was a family joke. I can’t beat your John Paul Jones quote. You summed it best when you said…
“I understand that kind of mentality. I respect that fiery passion.”
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Thanks, Gloria! So happy to hear that your brushes were all with survivors. 🙂 My father-in-law is a survivor also.
Nice to know I’m not the only one who liked the sailors. 😉
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I hope YOU enjoyed the fireworks on YOUR birthday. They didn’t do that for me on my birthday. 🙂
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Aw, thanks! I’m sorry you don’t get fireworks on your birthday, but you’re welcome to share mine! 😉
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I think I just did! Thanx!
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One of my favorite founding-fathers of several is John Adams and it was confirmed more when HBO did the 7-part series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney: “John Adams”. An excellent historical account of the unimaginable task of founding a nation based on freedom and more importantly freedom’s responsibility and required self-sacrifice! I feel it is a MUST SEE on every July 4th week/weekend.
However, as deeply grateful and humbled as I am to be an American and can never give enough gratitude to our modern military for their ultimate sacrifices…I also temper this patriotism with my bigger heart for humanity. So I will listen sometimes to that heart-wrenching Dave Matthews Band song: “Don’t Drink the Water.”
I always ask, no I demand of myself to treat, serve, protect, and die for if necessary for those I disagree politically so that they have that freedom. As unconventional and non-traditional as I am, would other Americans do the same for me as unpopular as my personal beliefs and lifestyle are to them?
The love of “freedom” must also come with an equal global love for humanity. 🙂
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Isn’t it surprising how difficult that balance is to maintain? Peace and freedom. One would think they’d go hand in hand. Unfortunately, it’s often colored by personal history & perception….not to mention those who throw away the idea of freedom and embrace subjugation and power instead. As simple as peace and freedom sound, they’re actually quite complex beliefs and are capable of bringing out the best and worst in humanity.
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Agreed Kitt. You’ve put it in proper perspective.
Less self-absorption, more embracing & serving of humanity. We share over 99% of our genomes with the rest of mankind — that tiny 1% is simply ‘stuff’ we & our families have created/imposed… which is certainly imperfect!
Happy 4th to all though. 🙂
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HBD! 😀
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Thanks!
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Hope you had a terrific birthday and 4th of July. I still love the fireworks, BBQ’s, and spending time with friends and family. I also still refuse to leave NYC and travel during the holidays! Too crazy.
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Oh, I agree… Travelling on the 4th is nuts (and not everyone on the road is sober). I know, shocker, right? 😉
And I did have a fantastic birthday. Nice and relaxing with friends. Cooked out.
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I liked this post, did not get to it until after it all was over, was on vacation! I hope you had a great birthday, like the idea of fireworks, but wish for the hot and heavy kind again someday! (smile, wink!) So sorry about your friend, that is a tough one. Hope and pray that she survives and will live long and happily/healthily, too.
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Thanks for the thoughts and prayers on my friend’s behalf. It means so much.
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I like Benjamin Franklin and also, Thomas Paine. There is an older book called, “To Spit Against the Wind” about Paine. He did so much more than what you read about in history books for our country. A true rebel! B. Franklin had a lot of great inventions, of course, but also promoted our freedom in France, got us some “backers” in the war for independence!
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Another couple of good, strong minded, influential people! Would love to read that Payne book.
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